Hidden Ink Press brings the Culper Spy Ring’s untold stories to modern audiences
Pat Allen, a Macungie resident and tech professional, is launching Hidden Ink Press, an independent publishing venture dedicated to telling meticulously researched stories about the Culper Spy Ring, George Washington’s intelligence network during the Revolutionary War. The first of five prequel stories will be released in January 2026.
The Culper Spy Ring operated behind British lines in occupied New York from 1778 to 1783, providing intelligence that helped win the Revolutionary War. Despite their critical role, most Americans have never heard of them. The ring’s members, farmers, merchants, and a housewife named Anna Strong, risked their lives for five years and were never caught. Their identities remained secret for 150 years after the war ended.
Allen discovered the Culper Ring through the AMC series “Turn: Washington’s Spies” and became fascinated by the untold stories of the ordinary people who became extraordinary spies.
“These were civilians who had everything to lose and chose to fight anyway,” Allen said. “Their story deserves to be told with the same rigor and care they brought to their work. That’s what Hidden Ink Press is about, honoring both the history and the people.”
Hidden Ink Press will release five prequel stories starting in January 2026, each focusing on a key member of the Culper Ring before they became spies. The stories explore how ordinary people, a schoolteacher, a farmer, a housewife, a whaleboat captain, and a cavalry officer, were positioned and motivated to join Washington’s secret network.
Allen emphasizes historical accuracy as the project’s cornerstone. “I’m using primary sources, cross-referencing historians, and being transparent when something is speculative versus documented,” he said. “The goal is to create compelling narratives that never compromise on the truth.”
The project is entirely self-funded and independent, with stories available for free on hiddeninkpress.com. Readers can sign up for the newsletter to receive early access to each story before it’s publicly released.
The first story, focusing on Nathan Hale, will be released on January 15, 2026, with additional stories following monthly through May. Following the prequel series, Allen plans to publish a comprehensive nonfiction book about the Culper Ring’s operations, followed by historical fiction exploring how their intelligence methods influenced later conflicts.
Readers can learn more and sign up for the newsletter at hiddeninkpress.com. Updates are also available on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky at @HiddenInkPress.
Pat Allen is a Lehigh Valley resident who works in technology by day and pursues historical research and writing in his free time. Hidden Ink Press is his first independent publishing venture, combining his passion for American history with a commitment to meticulous research and compelling storytelling.
